Detectives have recovered an AK-47 rifle stolen from a police officer nine months ago following a deadly shootout with suspected gangsters in Machakos County.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said the firearm was recovered from a suspect who was shot dead during an exchange of gunfire with detectives in the Mashokani area of Matungulu Sub-County along the KomaβKenol Highway.
According to the DCI, detectives acting on intelligence cornered a gang believed to have been terrorising residents in the area.
βThe suspects were cruising in a Toyota Harrier when detectives flagged them down. Instead of surrendering, the gang opened fire,β the DCI said.
Detectives returned fire, leading to a shootout in which one suspect, who was armed with the AK-47, was fatally wounded. His accomplice, who was armed with a pistol, escaped from the scene.
βRecovered from the fallen suspect was an AK-47 rifle, loaded with 11 rounds of 7.62Γ39mm ammunition,β the DCI said.
Preliminary investigations established that the rifle was the same firearm stolen from a police officer during a violent robbery in Mavoko in November 2025.
During the attack, three armed men reportedly confronted the officer while he was guarding a residence in Athi River, shooting him in the chest and legs before escaping with his AK-47 rifle, which had been loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, and his mobile phone.
A search of the suspects’ Toyota Harrier also led to the recovery of eight mobile phones, four balaclavas, crowbars and torches.
The body of the deceased suspect was moved to Kangundo Level 4 Hospital mortuary pending an autopsy, while detectives launched a manhunt for the escaped suspect as investigations into the gang’s wider criminal network continue.
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